07/10 M
Cloudy
After a pleasant breakfast with Nanako, Yu marched off to school once more...
"Hey! Man, the case... I couldn't get any sleep last night. How about you? Are you alright?"
Yosuke. Well, do I tell him that I couldn't sleep until just before I had a chat with my extraplanar friends?
"I'm... Okay."
"Well... If we start getting depressed over something like this, we'll never catch the killer, huh? Hmm... Oh, yeah... This all means we'll be getting a new homeroom teacher. I wonder who... Well, they can't be any worse than King Moron."
... Now you've jinxed it!
Just as Yu settled into his desk for the day, the door to the classroom opened, and a middle-aged woman walked in...
"Gooooood mornin'! I'm Noriko Kashiwagi, your new class teacher starting today."
... Yikes.
"You all probably know already, but now that Mr. Morooka has passed away... I'll be taking good care of you instead."
Ms. Kashiwagi giggled...
"Okay, why don't we start off with a moment of silence for Mr. Morooka. Close your eyes, everyone..."
I'll spend it trying to figure out why you act twenty years younger than you are- It's not like your ugly, but it's kinda creepy how you're behaving.
Barely ten seconds after the class closed their eyes, Kashiwagi spoke up again.
"That should be enough. Hmhm... I'll do my best to fill Mr. Morooka's shoes. So, our regular examines are still on track for next week. As your principal said, 'It's times like these when the schedule is most important, Nori-chan.' Hmhm... It must be tough for you. But that's what it means to become an adult, little by little."
Several students muttered complaints about Kashiwagi...
Well, good to know I'm not the only one bothered by here, at least.
Kashiwagi spoke once more.
"Oh, and one other thing- That idol in our first- Ms. Kujikawa, was it? In person, she's nothing like she seems on TV, so don't get your hopes up, mmkay? What's so great about an idol, anyway, right class? She's just a piece of inexperienced jailbait."
... No. You didn't.
Kashiwagi rambled on and on...
A few other students started talking about various rumors...
Ugh... Wait. The Midnight Channel? Oh, no...
Chie whispered over to Yu...
"The rumor about the Midnight Channel is spreading further..."
"We'd better wrap this case up quick. Anyways, let's meet up later."
Yosuke whispered to Yu...
Well, yeah.
"Right."
The Team gathered under one of the covered tables at the Junes Food Court...
"Ugh... Finals are next week... It's been a while since I failed any subjects..."
Chie sighed.
"Yeah, if by 'a while' you mean 'all the time'.""
"Sh-shut up! Like you've ever seen my scores!"
Geez, Yosuke.
"But Chie always gets above-average marks in the subjects she doesn't fail!"
"H-hey! Why'd you tell him!? My scores just... Vary! Yeah, that's it!"
Yukiko is so supportive of Chie's quirks... I guess that's a good thing...?
Rise burst out laughing.
"R-Rise-chan. you too...?"
"Hmhm... Sorry... I'm not laughing at you. It's just... I thought it would take me a while to make any friends at my new school."
Chie sighed.
"Too bad we met under such awful circumstances."
Well, that's pretty much how all of us met each other, anyway.
"Oh, yeah... What do you guys think about King Moron's case? He didn't show up on the Midnight Channel even once."
Teddie responded to Yosuke.
"If this person had been inside the TV, I would've sensed it. My nose isn't as sharp now, but I can tell that much."
"But they found the body on a foggy day again, right? They said on the news that the crime scene was just the way it was for that announcer and Saki-senpai."
Chie looked down...
Yukiko spoke up.
"I really wonder about the culprit's motives... Why was Mr. Morooka targeted?"
"Hope it wasn't personal, 'cause there's way too many people who hated King Moron's guts."
Rise nodded.
"But didn't you say it's people who get famous on TV who are targeted? If the killer's choosing targets by watching TV, I picture him as someone who doesn't know the victims at all. I don't think it's worth trying to figure out motives for that type. There are too many people who hold grudges against you for no reason, even if you've never met them before."
"Haha... You sound like you speak from experience, Rise-chan... But with King Moron, he didn't appear on the Midnight Channel or the regular TV... Urgh! I don't get this at all!"
Kanji responded to Chie...
"Man, two victims in a row from our school... That's gotta set off the police's alarm bells. They're not gonna leave any stones unturned."
I dunno... That almost seems like a coincidence... Hmm...
"Y'know, to be honest... Somewhere deep inside, I thought maybe King Moron was the killer..."
What? Really, Yosuke? ... 'Cause I sorta thought so too for a while.
"The news says that he was the second victim from our school, but we all know that's not the case. And I've heard him say more than once that so-and-so deserves to die... But now... I feel bad that I doubted him. He was a capital-A Asshole, but that doesn't justify killing him... And not just king Moron... I feel sorry for all the victims... I can't forgive the killer, no matter what!"
Chie pumped herself up.
"Well, we'll do what we can, for King Moron's sake, too! At this rate, you have to figure that the killer has something to do with the school, right? So why don't we split up and-"
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang from nearby...
"That won't be nessacary.
That voice... It's him, isn't it?
"Y-you..."
Hat boy. Poor Kanji, always getting so flustered around him.
"There is no need to further examine the case of Mr. Morooka any further."
Chie stuttered.
"Wh-why's that?"
"Apparently, the police have found a suspect. It would be best to let them handle the case from here."
The Team's eyes opened wide...
"H-how do you know...?"
"I'm on this case as a special investigator, by the request of thee prefectural police."
Yosuke stood up-
"What!?"
Chie was just as shocked...
"They found a suspect...!? Who is it!?"
"As to his name, I haven't been informed. I do know... That he is a high schooler."
What!?
"It isn't public knowledge yet, but he isn't a student of your high school. It seems they are quite confident that this boy is the killer... They have testimonies directly linking him with the incident. I expect it's only a matter of time before he is apprehended. Soon, this case will be solved, and your town will once again be its peaceful, rustic self."
"... The suspect... Is a high schooler...? All right... So why come tell us? That's confidential info, right? Why run right her and spill it?"
Naoto faced Yu.
"Your 'game' will soon reach its end. I felt I should at least let you know that."
You condescending little...
"It's not a game to us.""
"You don't deny, then, that you have involved yourselves in the matter?"
That's... Dammit!
"Well, no matter. I have no reason to say anything further."
Rise furrowed her brow.
"A game...? Aren't you the one who thinks of this as a game?"
Naoto's eyes widened for half a moment...
"I don't care if you're a special investigator or an amateur sleuth... All your doing is solving mysteries. What could you know about us? You're the one who's playing a game here."
Yosuke followed Rise right up.
"One of the victims... She meant a lot to me. How could I possibly treat this like a game? Plus... We made a promise..."
Teddie's eyes shone...
"Y-Y-Yosuke..."
"A game... That may be quite true..."
Naoto closed her eyes in thoughts...
"Wh-why so understanding all of a sudden...?"
After Chie voiced her confusion, Yosuke continued.
"Oh, I get it. I was wondering why you'd be wandering around like this when the police have a suspect... What, did you get rid of you now that they have their man? Is that why you came here? You were lonely?"
Don't goad him, Yosuke. I don't like that glare...
Naoto responded...
"Detectives normally aren't involved with arrests. And we never harbor any special emotions regarding a case, either. Still... It is rather unfortunate that people are only attentive so long as our services are required... But then, I'm accustomed to it."
Kanji took a deep breath...
Don't worry, Kanji. I'm sure they'll be a day when you can ask him.
Naoto continued further-
"Much about this case was perplexing, but its solution was surprisingly simple... Well then, I'll be going now."
... Too simple, come to think of it...
Chie started talking as Naoto left down the elevator...
"What was that about...? He just said his piece and left...? ... He said they have a suspect... But is this really gonna solve everything?"
Yosuke sighed.
"Who knows..."
... Dammit.
"... Let's just call it a day. I'm not sure we can do much more today..."
The Team all agreed...
... What?
Yu stared at the alarm clock that was ticking away inside the fridge...
... Why?
With that, he closed the door...
This is gonna bug the hell outta me all night... Maybe I should just do something soothing...
And with that, Yu retired to his room to fold cranes.
07/12 Tu
Rain/Cloudy
Just outside school, Yu overheard a few of the other students complain about finals starting next week...
Just study. You can do it every other day or something.
"Ah... It's the perfect time for eel. I just looooove that slimy texture. So, do any of you know why eels are slimy? It's a protein called mucin that, due to agglutination, can precipitate the small particles. I learned all that on TV. And they say it makes your skin smoother!"
Just like those high-collagen marshmallows and ramen bowls, right? The ones that... Don't work? Kashiwagi, you ARE a teacher, right?
Well, who do I know needs help with studying... Well, lessee. Yosuke's scores're lower-average, Kanji's... Thick. Not dumb, but... Thick, and Chie's all over the place.
Unable to find his underclassman, Yu decided to talk with Chie...
Yosuke's got no real excuse beyond laziness.
"I wish tests would just disappear from the face of the earth... Ugh... Yu-kun, you free today? Maybe you could tutor me... Or not..."
"... Sure, Chie."
"Hmm...? Alright! Let's head for the library!"
And with that, the pair marched off for the other end of the second floor...
"So that's how it's done. First this step, then this... And like that, right!?"
"That's it!"
"Got it! Thanks for helping me, Yu-kun!"
She's so good at the social studies portions... I wonder if she has some kind of... Nah. Shouldn't jump to conclusions like that.
"Thanks for shopping today, Nanako."
Nanako giggled bashfully...
Hmm... There's enough milk and eggs to make four creme caramels...
Yu gently added a few drops of vanilla extract to base, before ladling them into their ramekins and placing them in a water bath in the oven, pulling them just before they'd have set...
The residual heat'll finish the cooking process... Well, if I stick one of them in the freezer, it'll be the right temperature to eat about ten minutes before Nanako's bedtime...
Yu placed one of his puddings in the freezer, smiling a little to himself...
07/13 W
Rain/Cloudy
Hmm... Well, Chie doesn't seem like a pudding girl, and Yukiko's probably sensitive to the richness of an egg-and-milk dish, no matter what it is... Yosuke'd complain that it's 'girly', even if he liked it, so that leaves...
Yu asked Kanji to join him for dessert on the roof.
And if anyone says anything, it's their damned problem for thinking two guys can't like sweets.
"... This stuff's awesome! Thanks a ton, Senpai!"
Good to see him enjoying himself... Hmm... I wonder if Naoto likes pudding? Maybe I could...
Yu mumbled a little to himself, then laughed a bit at Kanji, who had gotten flecks of pudding and a swear of caramel on his face.
"Yeah, I know, guys... The faculty office is still in shock over Mr. Morooka's death, too... But we can't sob all day! Today, we're putting the 'physical' back in education! Rugby! I know some of you don't know how to play, but don't worry- Rome wasn't built in a day!"
Shit. Where's the med tape- I don't wanna lose my ears!
"Don't space out, Yu! I've got a question for you- What does 'Rome wasn't built in a day' mean!?"
Oh, right... Mr. Kondo doesn't know about my time in the States.
"It means something like 'it takes time'."
"Excellent! Of course, 'keep trying' would've also been close! You can't give up before you build you empire! Keep at it! By the way. that proverb was originally written in French! Mr. Hosoi told me that."
I don't trust anything said by a man who carries around a puppet of himself at all times. Brr...
Yu worked off his cold sweat...
Yu decided to take on the ema's requests once more...
I have nothing to live for. I want to recapture the joy of life.
... Geez, that's depressing. And depressingly vague, too... Hmm?
Yu approached a depressed-looking man in his waning middle ages...
"... Hey, kid. Isn't this a great-looking shop? My grandfather started this shop... And I closed it down. Nowadays, kids don't make models... If they want toys, Junes has a much better selection. I can't compete... A long while ago, kids used to come in here and show off the models they'd built, comparing to see who was best. The store was so lively. Ah, those were the days..."
Poor guy- Inherited the shop just as DigiDevpla was on the downturn... Now it's all detective girls and Demikids and moe.
The man continued after a long, wistful sigh...
"I feel sorry for the toys that still remain in the store... I want them to be completed, but it'd be even more pathetic if they had to be constructed by me. The models would be happier if someone young, like you, made them..."
... Well, if it'll get you to stop acting like you're about to come down with that weird disease from two years back...
"Want me to make one?"
"Huh? W-would you? Do you have model paint at your place? Do you need clippers? You use putty!? And the detail pens, what about those? Oh, I know just the thing!"
And with that, the man handed Yu a bag of red plastic parts with a sheet of stickers and an instruction book carefully adhered to the sides of it...
... Was this in his pockets the whole time?
Yu quietly sighed to himself as he thanked the man and walked off...
Yu wound up bumping into Yukiko, and the two of them decided to hang out at Junes, as Yukiko said she had some shopping to do. Yu felt Ganga bring him a little closer to the Priestess...
It feels weird being at the Food Court and not sitting at one of the bigger tables...
"Um... Notebooks, three colors of pens, a lose-leaf folder, labels at the stationary department... Then the furniture department. I want to look at the desks. Those and the lamps..."
... What?
"What's all this for, Yukiko?"
The Priestess giggled, her eyes shining with aspiration.
"Studying! I'm thinking of studying seriously for a job license... Though I haven't decided on exactly which one I'll pursue. But I was thinking of trying for all the ones I feel I can earn."
So, not a cook.
Yukiko continued-
"I've started working at night, you see. Remember that job you told me about?"
"Folding envelopes? Yeah, I do..."
"Well, thanks to that, I have some money..."
Suddenly three men walked up to the pair's table, a sleazy-looking one in a suit at the fore...
"Huh? Well, if it isn't the manager of the Amagi Inn. Or should I say, the manager-to-be."
"... I see you haven't gone home yet."
"Well, I can't very well go anywhere until the next bus or train departs. This really is the boonies. Stuck here with nothing to do... Man, the countryside is the dumps."
... Even discounting the TV World and the murder investigation, I've found plenty to do here, asshole.
Yukiko seemed to echo Yu's thoughts-
"I beg to differ."
"Turning down sweet deals is part of country life too, is it?"
And with a creepy laugh, the suited man and his cohorts turned and left...
"Oh... I'm sorry. Those people are from some TV station. They wanted to cover the Amagi Inn..."
Really...?
"You said no, I take it?"
"Yes..."
Yukiko fidgeted her fingers awkwardly...
"It's a 'news of the weird' show... It isn't real journalism."
Then again, is there any real journalism on TV anymore?
Yukiko followed up-
"You know that our inn was associated with Ms. Yamano's murder, right? They wanted to make a special called, 'Hot Springs Too Hot for the Amagis!?'. It was an abhorrent title. Mother turned them away... But maybe she shouldn't have declined..."
"Hmm?"
"I mean... If it gets a bad reputation... We'd lose customers, and the Inn really would close its doors. Then... I'd feel better about leaving."
... Yukiko... I'm surprised at you.
"That's selfish. It's not like you."
"... I know. But I wasn't born there by choice..."
... Geez, don't say it like that. You're not gonna send a hitman or a ninja after me, are you?
"But you're right, Yu-kun... There's no real point in saying things like that. I'm leaving under my own power... My life is in my hands, now."
Yukiko smiled a little.
"And of course, I want to help everyone. You too, for being such a patient listener all the time."
It's one of the few skills I have, after all.
Yu and Yukiko walked through Junes and managed to obtain most of the small items on Yukiko's list. The pair walked home together until their paths diverged, a fifth Priestess card appearing before Yu as his friend walked out of sight...
That night, Yu decided to work at the hospital, Pazuzu bringing him a little bit closer to the Devil...
"Good work... Can you report today's progress?"
"Sure..."
Sayoko looks so... Haggard.
07/14 Th
Clear
"Yu-chan! Here's a question for you- Nautical dawn or civil dawn, which one's brighter?"
Well, knowing how sailors and military types can be...
"... Civil dawn."
"Yep, civil dawn is brighter! I'm surprised you knew. There really isn't much difference, really. Nautical dawn is when you can barely see the sunlight, while civil dawn is when its bright enough to distinguish objects."
... I think the puppet's staring through my very soul...
Well, what to do today?
"Hey, Yu! You wanna do something today?"
As Yu left Classroom 2-2, Yosuke bumped into him...
Well, I know that he wasn't gonna study today anyway...
"Sure."
"Alright! Let's go, then."
Yu felt Pyro Jack brace him for the upcoming misadventure...
Yosuke had forced Yu onto his rickety bike and stormed the pair over to the Dojima Residence, before barreling through the door and up the stairs to Yu's room, its occupant sighing as he pursued...
"Sorry man, but I've gotta know..."
Oh, what the hell!?
Yosuke glanced around a little...
"Hmmmmmm, it's pretty clean. So...? You keep your goods under your futon?"
"... Huh?"
Yosuke smirked.
"C'mon.... No need to play dumb. Don't worry. I'll still be your friend even if you're into the freaky stuff."
Oh... THAT. Why would I ever have physical THAT?
"So, you ever invited a girl in here?"
"Nope."
Maybe one day... Who knows?
"Haha, maybe your more of a man's man than I thought."
Aren't you the luckiest?
"Are you up there? Have you seen the public notice anywhere?"
"Nanako's here... You mind if I let her in?"
"'Course not, man."
Yu smiled as he walked down the stairs to greet with Nanako...
After a very short chat about how Nanako's day was, Yu returned to his room, with Nanako close behind...
"Nanako-chan, are you free today?"
"No, I'm going to Takeyoshi-kun's house with Miwa-chan and Yo-chan."
"A-a guy's house!?"
They're six, Yosuke.
Nanako looked at Yosuke confusedly.
"Yakeyoshi-kun sits next to me. I'm going to deliver the class notice to him. Miwa-chan said she's going with me because she likes Takeyoshi-kun."
"Because she likes him...? M-man, kids sure are mature these days... Well, my first love was in kindergarten, too! I've always been ahead of my time. But, well... I don't really need that in my life right now. It's just not the time... I have something I need to do before I can let that happen..."
Yosuke...
Nanako puzzled out what Yosuke meant...
"Homework?"
"No... Well, maybe it is. You're smart, Nanako-chan!"
Nanako gave a bashful smile and excused herself for her friend's house...
"... Nanako-chan called it 'homework'... Catching the killer, ending the murders, bringing peace to this town... Only we can do it, huh? Let's hang in there. I'm counting on you."
Yu managed a tiny smile.
"Yeah... Same from me to you."
"Heh... Oh, did the notice reach you yet? The one about joining the young men's association? They were talking about having some kind of event to boost the economy. Junes is involved with it, so they're trying to rope me in. I don't have time for that... I told 'em I was busy, but they keep dogging me. I don't care about the young men's association or about boosting the economy..."
Yosuke sighed...
"Alright, time to take a peek under the futon!"
Life is just fulla little disappointments, ain't it?
After chatting for a while about lots of different things, Yosuke left for the day, a fifth Magician card appearing before Yu as he walked out...
I guess I'll make lunch, since Nanako went ahead and grabbed some food on her way back...
Yu pulled out a carton of eggs and a carved chicken...
... Let's fry this sucker.
After marinating the meat in a Chinese spice and soy mix, Yu coated it in potato starch and fried the pieces quickly...
Perfectly crispy...
07/15 F
Clear
Who to share with, who to share with...
Yu pulled his lunchboxes out and walked down the stairs...
"This is really good! Did you make this, Senpai? I respect that you can cook. The only things I can make are sweets..."
Ayane's... Even more of a light eater than she looks. I'll have to remember that...
Ayane giggled a little.
"I might make some soon. P-please try them then!"
Yu smiled.
Mr. Yamada can just ramble on and on about geography and weather, can't he...?
"Yu-san! You think you could grown melons in the Andes Mountains?"
"What? No, definitely not."
"That's right! Melons need long, hot days with little rainfall to grow. They're better suited for Europe than the cold Andes."
And that's why they cost 4000 yen a pop in this country, right?
... Why is Rise staring at the fire alarm? She's not gonna..!
Yu unconsciously quickened his pace as he approached the ex-idol...
"Do I or... Oh, Senpai! Great timing. The test coming up covers a lot of subjects... I won't be able to study enough unless someone helps me..."
... Don't act so coy. And don't look at me with your eyes like that... You make me feel like I might be Yosuke when you act like that, and god knows, one Yosuke is plenty.
Yu sighed and smiled as the two walked to the library...
"I'll do my best to make you proud, Senpai! Please don't laugh at me even if I get it wrong!"
Such passion! At least I'll know she won't go halvsies when she's determined...
That night, Yu decided to spend some time with Dojima, Unicorn bringing him just a little closer to the Hierophant...
Geez, why is Adachi even allowed on the force, if he can't even remember an order for a mother-and-child bowl and a standard beef bowl...?
07/16 Sa
Rain
Yu managed to get to school a little early, when Chie ran up from behind him just outside the school gates...
"Oh, Yu-kun. Morning. Hey, that guy the police are after... I wonder what he's like. How's the investigation going? I can't stop worrying about it. Speaking of worrying about things... We have tests all through next week... Ugh. But I can't study when I'm thinking about our investigation!"
"Focus! I don't want that bit of tutoring I gave you to go to waste."
"Ugh.... I guess your right... How can I argue with that...?"
"... I can't do it for very long, but I'd be willing to help you study over the phone tonight, if you'd like..."
Yu continued chatting with Chie on the way inside...
"Mr. Narukami! I'd like you to take a close look at the make-up I'm wearing. Do you see the mystical, blue eyeliner? Tell me, what was the purpose of this eyeliner, widely used by ancient Egyptians?"
Well, what would you try to keep away from your eyes by a river...?
"As an insect repellent?"
"Hohoho... I knew you'd get it right, Yu. You're exactly right!"
I think Ms. Sofue's probably the best teacher here. She's insane, but in a way appropriate to her subjects, and she's nice enough...
"Yu-senpai..."
You don't need to be so shy, Kanji.
"I've gotta ask you something, man-to-man!... C-can you tutor me?"
See? Not so hard.
"Sure."
"Great! Now Ma won't... Er, you didn't hear anything!"
"I-I get nervous in libraries... If I gotta sneeze, should I hold it in? Well, anyways, let's get over... Uh... Everything...?"
Can't say I'm surprised... Language before math, then.
Yu sighed and smiled wryly as he pulled a book out from his case...
I've been putting this off... Well, better get to work.
Yu applied a little bit of glue to a plastic cannon and sighed.
07/17
Cloudy
Stupid stupid stupid song.
Yu closed up his phone after placing another order...
Yu went for a walk through the Shopping District...
"Oh, Yu-kun. I don't see you here very often."
"You want to take a break from studying? It's good to be relaxed the day of the tests..."
"Okay."
Yukiko smiled a little, as Yu felt Ganga draw him closer to the Priestess...
"Really?"
"You wouldn't believe the- Snrk. Hahahaha!"
Wow, she can just laugh about anything...
Yu and Yukiko enjoyed a walk and talk down the Samegawa...
And now we cut thi- Nonono, not that one!
Yu pulled his cutter away quickly-
That was close...
Yu sighed as he rifled through the tiny pieces for the bit he was looking for...
07/018 M (Ocean Day!)
Clear
Yu wound up bumping into Yosuke early in the day-
"Got a minute? I've got an offer I think you might be interested in!"
Don't try to make me think you're not desperate for something.
"Sure. Show me."
Yu felt Pyro Jack brace him for whatever was sure to come.
You asshole.
Yu placed a few cans on the shelves in front of him.
"Welcome, one and all! Choice salmon, 59 yen a slice, just as advertised!"
Dragging me into his restock work... Well, he doesn't exactly seem happy about this, either, so I guess I can't complain...
"And while you're at it, how about some cheese? Direct from Italy, and just 298 yen for today only..."
Yu sighed a little...
"Hey, you need to restock this shelf too!"
Yu suddenly upped his pace...
Well, at least I got paid.
Yu and Yosuke went to the Food Court after the rush...
"Phew, I'm dead tired... They decided on the sale at the last minute, and Dad was bugging me to find helpers. I told him I didn't have time for that, but he wasn't listening."
Yosuke smiled and winked at Yu.
"But hey, I'm glad you were there! Thanks."
You better be.
"Tell me next time!"
Yosuke laughed.
"Sorry 'bout that! I thought if I told you, you wouldn't come... Sorry, dude."
"Oh, Hanamura."
I think I've heard that voice... Wait...
A pair of high school girls walked up to the table the Fool and Magician were sitting at...
"What's with the crowd today? It's way busy. If I'd known, I woulda skipped out."
"Please don't. You got a bonus for today, right?"
The other girl sneered.
"Yeah, a whole 500 yen. I'm trying to save up! Gimme a raise."
Yosuke sighed.
"Well... I don't think I can help you there..."
"Well, what's the point, then?"
The two girls stormed off and started talking nearby...
Loudly. Very, very loudly.
"At this rate, my graduation trip'll be somewhere in Japan. Maybe I should ask my parents to pay for it."
"Why don't you find a guy to pay?"
"Haha, like Saki did?"
No. They didn't.
Yosuke bit his lip...
"Was it last year? Saki's elopement, I mean."
"Yep. Apparently she got with a college guy who came home, and went off with him. But she came right back, saying she'd save money and leave on her own."
"Huh? You mean she was dumped?"
"Who knows... She started working here to save money, didn't she?"
"You know us high school girls can make easy money if we really want to."
... I'll just let those two ramble about their compensated dating scheme or whatever.
Yosuke stared at the ground...
"It doesn't matter. I'm not letting it get to me... It's sad to be talked about like that, though."
Yosuke fell quiet for a few minutes...
"We're the only ones who can avenge Saki-senpai... We're special. We're the only ones... So, there's no need to bother with outsiders."
That's... Well, in this case, yeah.
"Man, you're being mature."
Yosuke laughed.
"I saw the kid inside me inside the TV. I felt the need to change... I think it's good you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it this far."
... To be honest, it's been a little like that for me, with everyone else...
Yu smiled back at Yosuke, as the two moved onto less heavy topics...
When Yu left Junes, a sixth Magician card appeared before him...
A sticker's peeling off... What do I do!?
Yu put his paintbrush and worked pulled out his glue...
07/19 Tu
Cloudy
Great... Finals.
07/20 W
Cloudy
Finals...
07/21 Th
Rain/Cloudy
FINALS!
07/22 F
Cloudy/Clear
'Finaaaaaaaaalllllllllls.
07/23 Sa
Cloudy
The finishing blow! Finals! Are! OVER!
The four second-year Team members chatted after school hours ended...
"It's alllll over! *yawn* I'm sooo sleepy..."
"Yuck! Don't yawn in my face like that!"
Chie, I'm the one right next to him. He had salmon chirashizushi for lunch- I can tell.
"Hey, for the third question on the English test, which phrase did you choose?"
"Um... I went with 'used to'."
Chie sighed at Yukiko's response.
"Wrong again..."
"So much for Chie going abroad. Heck, why leave Inaba? You have so much right here!"
I can't even tell if you're sincere or just half-serious... But don't goad her, Yosuke.
"Oooooh, you're so annoying!"
Just as Chie got ready to give Yosuke a piece more of her mind, the first-years walked into the room...
"Yo..."
"No more encores... I mean... Hi everyone..."
Rise and Kanji sighed and stared at the floor...
"Whoa, more losers!?"
Classy, Yosuke.
"What do I need to know English for!? I can always ask for a translator!"
... Huh. Her English pronunciation in her music is actually pretty decent... Guess it was all learned phonetically...
Rise faced Yu.
"How did you do, Senpai?"
"My pen was on fire."
Rise giggled a little.
"Wow, you're amazing..."
Kanji furrowed his brow...
"... Enough about the exams already... What's going on with the murder case?"
"Well, let's head to the Special Headquarters."
The group nodded to their Leader, save Rise, who looked confused...
"I'm kinda bummed... Not just because exams are over, but... The whole thing with the police finding a suspect. I mean, we believed that only we could solve this case. And now..."
Yosuke nodded a little to Chie
"Well, we still don't know yet. They haven't made an arrest."
Kanji grumbled a little.
"So... We gotta sit on our thumbs."
Suddenly, Adachi walked up nearby, rambling to himself...
"For crying out loud... It's nice to have a suspect, but where the hell is he? We're at the end of our rope here... Y-you guys!? D-did you hear what I said? Ah... Ahahah! This case is as good as solved! Don't worry, kids. It's only a matter of time before we bring in the suspect. I mean, the guy's kidnapping people at random and slaughtering them! We won't rest until we bring him to justice!... I-I gotta get going!"
And with that, Adachi ran off...
What the hell's Adachi's problem, anyway? Did he really just want another magic set or something?
Yosuke took point in the conversation.
"... Now I'm REALLY worried. On the other hand... If the police have a search warrant out for the guy, we should stay out of it."
Kanji sighed.
"Yeah..."
As the rest of the Team stared downwards, Rise decided to speak up.
"Oh, uh, I just remembered. There was a question on the exam that I didn't get. I think it was, 'the chemical formula HCHO, used for silver mirror reactions. Its 40% solution is known as formalin'. And the question was, 'What is HCHO?'."
HCHO...
"That'd be formaldehyde."
"Oh, I chose acetic acid... Duh, of course it couldn't have been vinegar. Hey, you had that question too, didn't you Kanji?"
"Shut up. And don't call me by my first name."
"Wow, kinda harsh, aren't you? I heard you got a nosebleed when you were around our senpai."
The five of us were the only ones there... Who spilled the-
"H-hey! Who the hell blabbed about that!?"
"A-anyways! Rise-chan, why don't you ask Yukiko to help you study?"
Nice save, Chie!
"Huh? I guess, but wouldn't you rather ask a senpai of the opposite sex?"
Chie was visibly surprised, but Rise continued.
"Senpai... I'm not a nuisance to you, am I?"
Rise... Don't stare like that. It makes me feel kinda...
"Damn... This girl's dangerous...! L-let's change the subject. Hey, any idea how Teddie's doing?"
Yosuke faced to Chie.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention it to you. Check this out."
Yosuke pointed over to a little ways off from the table. Teddie was handfing out balloons inside his bear suit.
Or bear skin? At least it's not in his 'bare' skin!...
Crap, now I'm doing it.
"I let him stay at my place. In return, he's now our official store mascot."
"Aah. So he's hiding in plain sight. Reverse psychology, eh? Man... He looks like one happy bear."
Yosuke smiled at Kanji's fascination.
"He kept saying he didn't want to go back, so I made him a deal. Now, since I've got nothing better to do... I'm gonna go bug him."
"Ooh, I wanna go too!"
"C-can I... Feel his soft fur...?"
And with that, most of the team went to have a little fun with Teddie, leaving Yu and Rise alone together...
"Hey, Senpai?"
"Hm?"
"Now that I'm getting the hang of school, I want to go out more and see the sights. But I tend to get recognized everywhere I go, so I'm a little nervous about going out on my own... And you seem like the type of guy who knows all the cool spots in town."
Rise gave an awkward huff...
"Sure, I'll show you around, Rise."
"Really? Woohoo!"
Yu smiled to his underclassmen, when suddenly, a card bearing the number "VI" and an image of a man and a woman standing at a crossroads appeared before him...
Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast established a new bond...
It brings thee closer to the truth...
Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Lovers Arcana...
A wave of light particles trickled out of Rise's eyes, and into Yu...
"If you ever have some time to kill, think of me, okay? Now c'mon, let's go pester Teddie."
Which means I'll be playing ref, making sure you guys don't get the suit wet with bear tears.
Rise shouted out-
"Teddieeeee! Heeey!"
That night, Yu watched the news with Nanako...
"Tonight, we have a special report. The topic is the bizarre serial murder case in Inaba, where the victims' bodies are discovered hanging upside down. Police have yet to announce any progress in the investigation since the discovery of a third victim. Our special report tonight is a summary of the events, and the facts in the case thus far..."
Nothing about that suspect, though...
"They still haven't caught him?"
Nanako sounded very worried...
"Remember from a little while back? I said I'll protect you. I'd never let this guy hurt you..."
"Okay. You promise, right?"
Nanako blushed a little, then got up to sit next to Yu...
Yeah. I'll never, ever let her get hurt.
Yu's Level: 37
Current Personas:
Mithra
Unicorn
Taotie
Gdon
Setanta
Pazuzu
Pyro Jack
Ganga
Oni
Virtue
Makami
Yamata-no-Orochi
Social Links:
Fool: Rank 6
Magician: Rank 6
Priestess: Rank 5
Empress: Rank 4
Emperor: Rank 3
Hierophant: Rank 7
Lovers: Rank 1
Chariot: Rank 5
Justice: Rank 8
Hermit: Rank 5
Strength: Rank 6
Hanged Man: Rank 4
Death: Rank 2
Temperance: Rank 5
Devil: Rank 6
Tower: Rank 4
Star: Rank 2
Moon: Rank 6
Sun: Rank 6
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